Know Your Enemy: South Carolina Gamecocks Q&A with David Cloninger

After a great win over LSU last week, No. 10 Texas A&M hits the road once again to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium and try to stay atop the SEC standings. Ahead of this matchup, we asked a few questions David CloningerSportswriter for Charleston, SC The post office and the courier.

Good bullshit: South Carolina is 4-3, but was damn close to 6-1 thanks to close (and controversial) losses to Bama and LSU. Given this background, what is the current mood in the fan base?

David Cloninger: The mood here changes from week to week, always depending on the last game. The Gamecocks spoiled Oklahoma, so it's mostly good. But there's always an underlying dissatisfaction, centered this year on how poorly the offense has played.

GBH: The battle for the Bonham Trophy has always been one of the most legendary and heated rivalries in all of college football. You simply can't create fear this way. Obviously we're each other's main rival, but where would you rank this rivalry among the all-time greats in college football?

Direct current: Have different opinions. You can't create a rivalry, especially not with a trophy that looks cool but no player or coach ever touches it after the game. This is by no means a legendary rivalry as this is only the 11th meeting and every rivalry involves a split between the two teams. The Gamecocks have only beaten Texas A&M once. And nothing against Texas A&M, but the Aggies are not the Gamecocks' main rival, and I wouldn't say the Gamecocks are A&M's main rival either. A&M would struggle to get into the top 10 list of USC competitors.

GBH: A&M dominated this series 9-1, but of course their only loss came two years ago, the night they last visited Williams-Brice Stadium. How important do you think home atmosphere will be in this game?

Direct current: Fans love evening games because it's a full afternoon (and sometimes morning) of action. There will definitely be a turbo-charged atmosphere fueled by this. But the Williams-Brice atmosphere, while great at kick-off, can be lost almost immediately if the home team immediately lays an egg. This has happened several dozen times over the decades. But if the opponent gives USC an immediate boost – like two years ago when the Gamecocks returned the kickoff for a touchdown – that crowd will be a factor as long as USC is in the game.

GBH: What is the Gamecocks' biggest strength and biggest liability on both sides of the ball?

Direct current: The entire defense is the backbone of this team. Fantastic football is being played. The offensive line is the Gamecocks' biggest weakness.

GBH: LaNorris Sellers has tantalizing skills, but statistically it appears he's had a year full of ups and downs. What can A&M fans expect from him in this game?

Direct current: He's still learning. He began the year with just a few games and no starting appearance, and even this year he missed an entire game and two halves of other games as a starter. He knocks his receivers over far too often; he needs to sense better when a sack is coming and throws the ball away. He will be walking and running a lot on Saturday. He was prone to turnovers but had a turnover-free game.

GBH: Based on stats alone, the Aggie DL versus the Gamecock OL appears to be a big advantage for A&M, perhaps the biggest mismatch in this game. What is the SC OL's criminal record and was this considered a cause for concern?

Direct current: It's an area of greater concern than taking on a football coaching contract at Texas A&M. Last year the team was very poor, which was attributed to health (they started different teams in the first seven games). They've all been healthy this year, but they're the second-worst team in the country when it comes to giving up sacks. They also can't open rushing lanes, allowing Rocket Sanders to gain all of his yards through contact. The Aggies' D-line will celebrate on Saturday.

GBH: South Carolina has gone from No. 105 in sacks in 2023 to No. 3 nationally this season. Obviously, rookie Dylan Stewart had a lot to do with it, but that can't be the whole story. What else do you think contributed to their massive pass rush resurgence?

Direct current: Kyle Kennard, the man on the other side of the line, leads the SEC with 8.5 sacks. He and Stewart were two parts of USC's concerted effort to get a handle on the pass rush in the offseason. With the defensive tackles each past their prime, there simply isn't much wiggle room as the opposing QB.

GBH: Texas A&M is statistically the best rushing attack SC has faced this season, while the Gamecock run defense is also the best the Aggies have ever seen. How do you think strength plays a role in this game?

Direct current: Many teams were able to move the ball fairly well on USC, especially when they stuck to the run for a sustained drive. However, USC is in the red zone. I expect A&M won't challenge the Gamecocks' secondary and stay on their feet, and if USC's offense can't give the defense a rest, it's going to be a long night.

GBH: In summary, how do you think this game will end and if you want, give us a prediction on the outcome.

Direct current: Games are won in the trenches. A&M has a strong defensive line and USC's offensive line couldn't stop Old Dominion. USC's defensive front may be able to hold the Aggies for a while, but not forever, especially if the offense doesn't score.